U.S. patent number 10,384,639 [Application Number 15/274,586] was granted by the patent office on 2019-08-20 for plus-two belt reminder system.
This patent grant is currently assigned to FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC. The grantee listed for this patent is Ford Global Technologies, LLC. Invention is credited to S.M. Iskander Farooq, Mohammed Omar Faruque, Dean M. Jaradi, Robert William McCoy.
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United States Patent |
10,384,639 |
McCoy , et al. |
August 20, 2019 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Plus-two belt reminder system
Abstract
A plus-two belt system is provided. The plus-two belt system is
a supplement to a traditional three-point belt system. The plus-two
belt system has a longitudinal webbing anchored at a first end and
coiled on a retractor at a second end. When an occupant is sensed
and the vehicle engine is on, a reminder chime can sound when a
magnetic strip in the webbing of the plus-two belt system is
detected. The magnetic strip can be detected with a Hall effect
sensor and the Hall effect sensor can be located adjacent the
retractor.
Inventors: |
McCoy; Robert William (Ann
Arbor, MI), Jaradi; Dean M. (Macomb, MI), Faruque;
Mohammed Omar (Ann Arbor, MI), Farooq; S.M. Iskander
(Novi, MI) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Ford Global Technologies, LLC |
Dearborn |
MI |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
(Dearborn, MI)
|
Family
ID: |
60159276 |
Appl.
No.: |
15/274,586 |
Filed: |
September 23, 2016 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20180086303 A1 |
Mar 29, 2018 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R
22/023 (20130101); B60R 22/48 (20130101); B60R
21/01512 (20141001); B60R 2022/4816 (20130101); B60R
2022/027 (20130101); B60R 2022/026 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B60R
22/00 (20060101); B60R 22/02 (20060101); B60R
21/015 (20060101); B60R 22/48 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
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Other References
UKIPO Search Report under Section 17(5) for Application No.
GB1704557.6 dated Jul. 20, 2017 (7 pages). cited by applicant .
Ponticel, Patrick, No one gets the cold shoulder with Autoliv's
two-point seatbelt, May 9, 2012, http://articles.sae.org/11023/ (1
page). cited by applicant .
Final Office Action dated Nov. 1, 2017 for USPA No. 15274459 (37
pages). cited by applicant .
Non-Final Office Action dated Jan. 23, 2018; U.S. Appl. No.
15/095,355, filed Apr. 11, 2016. cited by applicant .
Search Report from the United Kingdom Intellectual Property Office
dated Feb. 21, 2018 regarding GB Application No. 17115074.9 (5
pages). cited by applicant .
Search Report from United Kingdom Intellectual Property Office
dated Feb. 21, 2018 regarding GB Application No. 1715106.9 (4
pages). cited by applicant .
Search Report from the United Kingdom Intellectual Property Office
dated Sep. 20, 2018 regarding Application No. GB1715074.9 (3
pages). cited by applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Verley; Nicole T
Attorney, Agent or Firm: MacKenzie; Frank A. Bejin Bieneman
PLC
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A system comprising: a seat; a three-point seatbelt engageable
with the seat; a two-point seatbelt including a retractor and a
sensor each supported by the seat; and the two-point seatbelt
including a webbing payable from the retractor and a magnetic strip
embedded in the webbing and positioned within a readable vicinity
of the sensor in a retracted position.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the magnetic strip is outside the
readable vicinit: of the sensor when the webbing is uncoiled from
the retractor.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is within the magnetic
field of the magnetic strip when the webbing is in the retracted
position.
4. The system of claim 3, wherein the sensor is spaced from the
magnetic field of the magnetic strip when the webbing is uncoiled
from the retractor.
5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a processor and memory
storing instructions executable by the processor, the processor
being programmed to set an alarm as a result of the magnetic strip
being positioned within a readable vicinity of the sensor in the
retracted position.
6. A system as in claim 1 wherein the sensor is a Hall effect
sensor.
7. A system as in claim 6 wherein the retractor is in a seat back
frame.
8. A system as in claim 7 wherein the magnetic strip is 0.3 to 0.6
mm thick.
9. A system as in claim 8 wherein the magnetic strip is a magnetic
wire mesh.
10. A system as in claim 8 wherein the magnetic strip is sewn into
the webbing.
11. A system as in claim 10 wherein the Hall effect sensor is
mounted adjacent a guide.
12. A system as in claim 6 wherein the Hall effect sensor is
mounted external to a seat back frame.
Description
BACKGROUND
Vehicles currently provide three-point seat belt restraining
systems for the vehicle occupants. Current three-point restraining
systems often include a seat belt reminder system that includes
sensors positioned in a buckle to determine whether the three-point
belt has been engaged. If the buckle has not been engaged a
reminder system will chime to remind the occupant to "buckle up."
Plus-two supplemental restraining systems have been discussed as an
added restraint to a three-point belt. The plus-two supplemental
system provides an additional two points of restraint to the prior
three-point systems. Plus-two systems do not include a buckle, but
rather are fixed at one end and retractable at the other end.
Plus-two belt systems do not currently have reminder systems.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front plan view of a plus-two belt system with a
three-point system.
FIG. 2 is a side plan view of a plus-two belt system used by an
occupant.
FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a plus-two belt system with a
sensor.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a plus-two belt system sensor and
magnet.
FIG. 5 is a schematic of a plus-two system with a sensor, output,
processor and reminder.
FIG. 6 is a flow diagram for a plus-two system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present disclosure provides a reminder system for a plus-two
supplemental occupant restraint in a vehicle. A plus-two occupant
restraint provides a restraint that is in addition to a traditional
three-point occupant restraint. With a traditional three-point
restraint an occupant pulls the webbing of a belt across their
torso and fastens the belt with a buckle. A sensor may be
positioned in the buckle, with the buckle sensor configured to
recognize when the buckle is engaged. When the buckle is not
engaged a reminder system can initiate an alarm in the form of a
reminder chime or other signal to remind the occupant to engage the
buckle. A plus-two belt system does not have a buckle. Rather, in
use the plus-two belt provides a webbing with a first end fixed,
either at a seat or the vehicle floor, and a second end is attached
to a retractor such that the plus-two belt may be pulled out by an
occupant for use. In use an occupant does not pull the plus-two
belt across their torso but rather slips their arm under the
plus-two belt system and pulls it over their shoulder like a
backpack strap.
A magnetic strip or magnetic wire mesh is sewn into the webbing and
positioned adjacent a sensor when the plus-two belt is not in use.
As described the sensor may be a Hall effect sensor. The sensor is
positioned adjacent the retractor. When the vehicle ignition is on
and an occupant is sensed a vehicle system will initiate a belt
reminder signal when the sensor detects the magnet or wire
mesh.
A Hall effect sensor includes a thin piece of rectangular p-type
semiconductor material such as gallium arsenide (GaAs), indium
antimonide (InSb) or indium arsenide (InAs) passing a continuous
current through itself. The current is provided by the vehicle
system. When the sensor is placed within a magnetic field, the
magnetic flux lines exert a force on the semiconductor material
which deflects the charge carriers, electrons and holes, to either
side of the semiconductor material creating a potential difference
between the two sides of the semiconductor material. The presence
of the magnetic strip in the webbing produces the signal in the
sensor and the absence of such strip removes the signal from the
sensor. The determination of whether the occupant has positioned
him or herself properly in the plus-two belt is based on the
webbing length pulled from the retractor and whether the magnetic
strip or webbing is detected.
In the normal, unoccupied state, the plus-two belt is held taut by
the retractor and the magnetic strip or webbing is within readable
vicinity of the sensor. When the vehicle engine is turned on by the
vehicle operator, the Hall effect sensor senses the magnetic strip
in the plus-two webbing and the belt reminder is activated. The
plus-two belt reminder system is in addition to the normal
three-point seatbelt belt reminder. After the occupant slips their
arm under the plus-two belt to place the belt/webbing over their
shoulder the magnetic strip in the webbing is pulled out and away
from the Hall effect sensor, the Hall effect sensor no longer
detects the magnetic strip or webbing and the belt reminder turns
off.
With reference to FIG. 1 there is shown a traditional three-point
belt system 20 in combination with a plus-two belt system 30. Both
the three-point belt system 20 and plus-two belt system 30 use a
webbing 22 to restrain an occupant in a seat 32. The webbing 22 has
a longitudinal length and is made from a suitable material, for
example Nylon. The three-point belt system 20 may include an anchor
point 44 which is adjustable in a track 26. In the three-point belt
system 20 the webbing 22 is uncoiled from a retractor 28 and may be
buckled at buckle 33. Thus, a traditional three-point belt system
20 has three points of contact, anchor 44, retractor 28 and buckle
33. FIG. 1 also shows a plus-two belt system 30 where the webbing
22 is anchored by anchor 37 at a first end and coiled on a
retractor 36 at a second end.
FIG. 2 shows the plus-two belt system 30 being used by an occupant
25. As illustrated the webbing 22 of the plus-two belt system 30 is
pulled over the shoulder of occupant 25. The webbing 22 is in a
retracted position where the webbing 22 is coiled on a retractor 36
which, as shown, is located in the frame 38 of seat 32. FIG. 3
shows a schematic of the plus-two belt system 30 where a first end
is captured by anchor 37 and the webbing 22 is coiled on the
retractor 36 at its second end. The webbing 22 includes a flexible
magnetic strip 42 positioned adjacent a sensor 40 when the plus-two
belt is taut and not being used by a vehicle occupant. The magnetic
strip 42 may be between 0.3 mm and 0.6 mm thick. As shown in FIG. 4
the magnetic strip 42 is sewn into the webbing 22. Flexible
magnetic strip 42 may be a continuous metallic strip or may be a
flexible magnetic webbing. Sensor 40 detects magnetic strip 42 when
the plus-two belt 30 is not in use and is taut against seat 38. As
noted above sensor 40 may be a Hall effect sensor.
FIG. 4 shows a close-up of webbing 22 passing through a seat
support plate 39. The sensor 40 may be mounted on the seat support
plate 39 adjacent a belt guide 44. The belt guide 44 provides a
slot through which the webbing 22 passes and the webbing 22 is
coiled on the retractor 36. When the plus-two belt system 30 is not
in use the magnetic strip 42 is proximate or adjacent to the sensor
40 and detected by the sensor 40. When the plus-two belt system 30
is in use the magnetic strip 42 is no longer proximate sensor 40
because the webbing 22 has been uncoiled from the retractor 36.
FIG. 5 shows a processor system of the plus-two belt system 30. As
shown the processor system includes a processor 55 which receives a
signal from an output 50 of the sensor 40. The processor 55 may be
embedded in a microcontroller. The microcontroller may include
memory which may store instructions executable by the processor 55
and the processor 55 may read instructions from the memory and
execute the instructions. Where the magnetic strip 42 is detected
by sensor 40 the processor 55 can execute instructions to actuate
an alarm or reminder which may be in the form of a reminder chime
60. The processor 55 may also execute instructions to actuate a
chime where the three-point belt system is not buckled.
FIG. 6 is a flow diagram that illustrates a belt reminder
instruction set that may be executed by processor 55. At 100 the
processor 55 recognizes that an occupant is in a vehicle seat. At
105 the processor 55 determines if the vehicle ignition is on. When
an occupant is in a seat, and the vehicle ignition is on the
processor 55 initiates a belt reminder countdown at block 110. The
belt reminder countdown will actuate a chime where the belt
systems, either the three-point belt or the plus-two belt is not
engaged after a pre-set delay. The countdown or pre-set delay may
be a matter of seconds, for example four to five seconds. For each
seat where an occupant is sensed the processor 55 activates the
sensor 40 at block 115. At block 120 the processor queries as to
whether the occupant is using both the three-point belt system 20
and the plus-two belt system 30. In the example of the three-point
system 20 the processor 55 will receive a signal indicating that
the three-point belt is captured in the buckle 33. With respect to
the plus-two belt system 30 the processor 55 will receive a signal
from the output 50 indicating that the magnetic strip 42 is
detected by sensor 40 where the plus-two belt system 30 is not in
use. When the plus-two belt system 30 is in use the sensor 40 will
not sense the magnetic strip 42. Where the sensor 40 does not
detect the magnetic strip 42 the processor may turn off the sensor
at block 125, turn off the belt reminder system at block 130 and to
the extent that belt reminder chimes have started, turn off the
belt reminder chimes at block 135.
At block 140 the processor 55 continues to monitor whether both the
three-point belt system 20 and the plus-two belt system 30 are
engaged. If they remain engaged the belt reminder remains in a mode
where the belt reminder chimes are stopped as noted at block 135.
Where the processor detects that either the three-point belt 20 or
plus-two belt 30 is not engaged at block 140, the belt reminder
countdown restarts at block 110. Thus, the processor periodically
activates sensor 40 and initiates the belt reminder countdown at
block 110 when the sensor 40 detects the magnetic strip 42.
With regard to the processes, systems, methods, heuristics, etc.
described herein, it should be understood that, although the steps
of such processes, etc. have been described as occurring according
to a certain ordered sequence, such processes could be practiced
with the described steps performed in an order other than the order
described herein. It further should be understood that certain
steps could be performed simultaneously, that other steps could be
added, or that certain steps described herein could be omitted. In
other words, the descriptions of processes herein are provided for
the purpose of illustrating certain embodiments, and should in no
way be construed so as to limit the claims.
Accordingly, it is to be understood that the above description is
intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many embodiments
and applications other than the examples provided would be apparent
upon reading the above description. The scope should be determined,
not with reference to the above description, but should instead be
determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the
full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is
anticipated and intended that future developments will occur in the
technologies discussed herein, and that the disclosed systems and
methods will be incorporated into such future embodiments. In sum,
it should be understood that the application is capable of
modification and variation.
All terms used in the claims are intended to be given their
ordinary meanings as understood by those knowledgeable in the
technologies described herein unless an explicit indication to the
contrary is made herein. In particular, use of the singular
articles such as "a," "the," "said," etc. should be read to recite
one or more of the indicated elements unless a claim recites an
explicit limitation to the contrary.
The Abstract is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain
the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the
understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the
scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing
Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are
grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of
streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be
interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments
require more features than are expressly recited in each claim.
Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter
lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment.
Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed
Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately
claimed subject matter.
* * * * *
References